Oxygen-tolerant H2 oxidation by membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenases of ralstonia species. Coping with low level H2 in air

A strong H-bond between a cysteine and the catalytic center of a [NiFe]-hydrogenase

Infrared spectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures was used to monitor protonation changes on an H+-accepting, nickel-coordinating active site cysteine of the H2/H+-cycling membrane-bound [NiFe]-hydrogenase from Cupriavidus necator. Surprisingly, we identified another cysteine in the outer coordination sphere forming a strong H-bond with a cysteine thiolate coordinating both nickel and iron of the catalytic center.

Probing the Influence of the Protein Scaffold on H-Cluster Reactivity via Gain-of-Function Studies─Improved H2 Evolution and O2 Tolerance through Rational Design of [FeFe] Hydrogenase

[FeFe] hydrogenases make up a structurally diverse family of metalloenzymes that catalyze proton/dihydrogen interconversion. They can be classified into phylogenetically distinct groups denoted A-G, which differ in structure and reactivity. Prototypical Group A hydrogenases have high turnover rates and remarkable energy efficiency. As compared to Group A enzymes, the putatively sensory Group D hydrogenase from Thermoanaerobacter mathranii (TamHydS) has a thousand-fold lower H2 evolution rate and a high overpotential requirement to drive catalysis (irreversible) but shows increased inhibitor tolerance. This divergence in structure and activity between hydrogenases makes them ideal models for studying second (active-site environment) and outer (e.g., substrate transport) coordination sphere effects on metal cofactors. Herein, we generated three TamHydS-based variants, each mimicking proposed key structural features of Group A hydrogenase: the "active site" (AS), "proton-transfer pathway" (PTP), and "combined" (CM = AS + PTP) variant. A fourth single-point variant, A137C, which introduces a proposed critical cysteine in the active site, was characterized as a reference. No change in isolation resulted in Group A-like behavior; i.e., no positive impact on catalytic performance was observed. The CM variant, however, showed increased H2 evolution activity but retained the overpotential requirement. Additionally, the CM variant improved the already relatively high stability of TamHydS against O2 and CO inhibition. These findings show that activity rates, (ir)reversibility, and susceptibility to gaseous inhibitors are decoupled. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of exploring hydrogenase diversity as a path toward understanding the structural factors that enable the outstanding catalytic properties of [FeFe] hydrogenases.

A Strep-Tag Imprinted Polymer Platform for Heterogenous Bio(electro)catalysis

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are artificial receptors equipped with selective recognition sites for target molecules. One of the most promising strategies for protein MIPs relies on the exploitation of short surface-exposed protein fragments, termed epitopes, as templates to imprint binding sites in a polymer scaffold for a desired protein. However, the lack of high-resolution structural data of flexible surface-exposed regions challenges the selection of suitable epitopes. Here, we addressed this drawback by developing a polyscopoletin-based MIP that recognizes recombinant proteins via imprinting of the widely used Strep-tag II affinity peptide (Strep-MIP). Electrochemistry, surface-sensitive IR spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to ensure an utmost control of the Strep-MIP electrosynthesis. The functionality of this novel platform was verified with two Strep-tagged enzymes: an O2-tolerant [NiFe]-hydrogenase, and an alkaline phosphatase. The enzymes preserved their biocatalytic activities after multiple utilization confirming the efficiency of Strep-MIP as a general biocompatible platform to confine recombinant proteins for exploitation in biotechnology.

Outer-sphere effects on the O2 sensitivity, catalytic bias and catalytic reversibility of hydrogenases

The comparison of homologous metalloenzymes, in which the same inorganic active site is surrounded by a variable protein matrix, has demonstrated that residues that are remote from the active site may have a great influence on catalytic properties. In this review, we summarise recent findings on the diverse molecular mechanisms by which the protein matrix may define the oxygen tolerance, catalytic directionality and catalytic reversibility of hydrogenases, enzymes that catalyse the oxidation and evolution of H2. These mechanisms involve residues in the second coordination sphere of the active site metal ion, more distant residues affecting protein flexibility through their side chains, residues lining the gas channel and even accessory subunits. Such long-distance effects, which contribute to making enzymes efficient, robust and different from one another, are a source of wonder for biochemists and a challenge for synthetic bioinorganic chemists.

Stepwise conversion of the Cys6[4Fe-3S] to a Cys4[4Fe-4S] cluster and its impact on the oxygen tolerance of [NiFe]-hydrogenase

The membrane-bound [NiFe]-hydrogenase of Cupriavidus necator is a rare example of a truly O2-tolerant hydrogenase. It catalyzes the oxidation of H2 into 2e- and 2H+ in the presence of high O2 concentrations. This characteristic trait is intimately linked to the unique Cys6[4Fe-3S] cluster located in the proximal position to the catalytic center and coordinated by six cysteine residues. Two of these cysteines play an essential role in redox-dependent cluster plasticity, which bestows the cofactor with the capacity to mediate two redox transitions at physiological potentials. Here, we investigated the individual roles of the two additional cysteines by replacing them individually as well as simultaneously with glycine. The crystal structures of the corresponding MBH variants revealed the presence of Cys5[4Fe-4S] or Cys4[4Fe-4S] clusters of different architecture. The protein X-ray crystallography results were correlated with accompanying biochemical, spectroscopic and electrochemical data. The exchanges resulted in a diminished O2 tolerance of all MBH variants, which was attributed to the fact that the modified proximal clusters mediated only one redox transition. The previously proposed O2 protection mechanism that detoxifies O2 to H2O using four protons and four electrons supplied by the cofactor infrastructure, is extended by our results, which suggest efficient shutdown of enzyme function by formation of a hydroxy ligand in the active site that protects the enzyme from O2 binding under electron-deficient conditions.

Redox-Polymer-Wired [NiFeSe] Hydrogenase Variants with Enhanced O2 Stability for Triple-Protected High-Current-Density H2 -Oxidation Bioanodes

Variants of the highly active [NiFeSe] hydrogenase from D. vulgaris Hildenborough that exhibit enhanced O2 tolerance were used as H2 -oxidation catalysts in H2 /O2 biofuel cells. Two [NiFeSe] variants were electrically wired by means of low-potential viologen-modified redox polymers and evaluated with respect to H2 -oxidation and stability against O2 in the immobilized state. The two variants showed maximum current densities of (450±84) μA cm-2 for G491A and (476±172) μA cm-2 for variant G941S on glassy carbon electrodes and a higher O2 tolerance than the wild type. In addition, the polymer protected the enzyme from O2 damage and high-potential inactivation, establishing a triple protection for the bioanode. The use of gas-diffusion bioanodes provided current densities for H2 -oxidation of up to 6.3 mA cm-2 . Combination of the gas-diffusion bioanode with a bilirubin oxidase-based gas-diffusion O2 -reducing biocathode in a membrane-free biofuel cell under anode-limiting conditions showed unprecedented benchmark power densities of 4.4 mW cm-2 at 0.7 V and an open-circuit voltage of 1.14 V even at moderate catalyst loadings, outperforming the previously reported system obtained with the [NiFeSe] wild type and the [NiFe] hydrogenase from D. vulgaris Miyazaki F.

Understanding the structure and dynamics of hydrogenases by ultrafast and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy

Hydrogenases are valuable model enzymes for sustainable energy conversion approaches using H2, but rational utilization of these base-metal biocatalysts requires a detailed understanding of the structure and dynamics of their complex active sites. The intrinsic CO and CN- ligands of these metalloenzymes represent ideal chromophores for infrared (IR) spectroscopy, but structural and dynamic insight from conventional IR absorption experiments is limited. Here, we apply ultrafast and two-dimensional (2D) IR spectroscopic techniques, for the first time, to study hydrogenases in detail. Using an O2-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenase as a model system, we demonstrate that IR pump-probe spectroscopy can explore catalytically relevant ligand bonding by accessing high-lying vibrational states. This ultrafast technique also shows that the protein matrix is influential in vibrational relaxation, which may be relevant for energy dissipation from the active site during fast reaction steps. Further insights into the relevance of the active site environment are provided by 2D-IR spectroscopy, which reveals equilibrium dynamics and structural constraints imposed on the H2-accepting intermediate of [NiFe] hydrogenases. Both techniques offer new strategies for uniquely identifying redox-structural states in complex catalytic mixtures via vibrational quantum beats and 2D-IR off-diagonal peaks. Together, these findings considerably expand the scope of IR spectroscopy in hydrogenase research, and new perspectives for the characterization of these enzymes and other (bio-)organometallic targets are presented.

In Situ Spectroelectrochemical Studies into the Formation and Stability of Robust Diazonium-Derived Interfaces on Gold Electrodes for the Immobilization of an Oxygen-Tolerant Hydrogenase

Surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy is used in situ to determine the electrochemical stability of organic interfaces deposited onto the surface of nanostructured, thin-film gold electrodes via the electrochemical reduction of diazonium salts. These interfaces are shown to exhibit a wide electrochemical stability window in both acetonitrile and phosphate buffer, far surpassing the stability window of thiol-derived self-assembled monolayers. Using the same in situ technique, the application of radical scavengers during the electrochemical reduction of diazonium salts is shown to moderate interface formation. Consequently, the heterogeneous charge-transfer resistance can be reduced sufficiently to enhance the direct electron transfer between an immobilized redox-active enzyme and the electrode. This was demonstrated for the oxygen-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenase from the "Knallgas" bacterium Ralstonia eutropha by relating its electrochemical activity for hydrogen oxidation to the interface properties.

From protein engineering to artificial enzymes - biological and biomimetic approaches towards sustainable hydrogen production

Hydrogen gas is used extensively in industry today and is often put forward as a suitable energy carrier due its high energy density. Currently, the main source of molecular hydrogen is fossil fuels via steam reforming. Consequently, novel production methods are required to improve the sustainability of hydrogen gas for industrial processes, as well as paving the way for its implementation as a future solar fuel. Nature has already developed an elaborate hydrogen economy, where the production and consumption of hydrogen gas is catalysed by hydrogenase enzymes. In this review we summarize efforts on engineering and optimizing these enzymes for biological hydrogen gas production, with an emphasis on their inorganic cofactors. Moreover, we will describe how our understanding of these enzymes has been applied for the preparation of bio-inspired/-mimetic systems for efficient and sustainable hydrogen production.

Development of air-stable hydrogen evolution catalysts

Obtaining abundant pure hydrogen by reduction of water has an important implication in the development of clean and renewable energy. Hence research focused on the development of non-noble metal based facile and energy efficient catalysts for proton reduction is on the rise. However, for practical utilization, it is necessary that these complexes function unabated in the presence of atmospheric oxygen and other common contaminants in abundant water sources. There has been very little activity towards the development of oxygen-tolerant hydrogen producing catalysts. This article aims to draw attention to this issue of oxygen sensitivity in the HER and highlights the development of a few air-stable HER catalysts (enzymatic as well as artificial) elaborating the challenges involved and the techniques discovered to overcome this significant deterrent to large-scale hydrogen production by electrolysis from abundant water sources.

Supramolecular electrode assemblies for bioelectrochemistry

For more than three decades, the field of bioelectrochemistry has provided novel insights into the catalytic mechanisms of enzymes, the principles that govern biological electron transfer, and has elucidated the basic principles for bioelectrocatalytic systems. Progress in biochemistry, bionanotechnology, and our ever increasing ability to control the chemistry and structure of electrode surfaces has enabled the study of ever more complex systems with bioelectrochemistry. This feature article highlights developments over the last decade, where supramolecular approaches have been employed to develop electrode assemblies that increase enzyme loading on the electrode or create more biocompatible environments for membrane enzymes. Two approaches are particularly highlighted: the use of layer-by-layer assembly, and the modification of electrodes with planar lipid membranes.

Enzymes as modular catalysts for redox half-reactions in H2-powered chemical synthesis: from biology to technology

The present study considers the ways in which redox enzyme modules are coupled in living cells for linking reductive and oxidative half-reactions, and then reviews examples in which this concept can be exploited technologically in applications of coupled enzyme pairs. We discuss many examples in which enzymes are interfaced with electronically conductive particles to build up heterogeneous catalytic systems in an approach which could be termed synthetic biochemistry We focus on reactions involving the H+/H2 redox couple catalysed by NiFe hydrogenase moieties in conjunction with other biocatalysed reactions to assemble systems directed towards synthesis of specialised chemicals, chemical building blocks or bio-derived fuel molecules. We review our work in which this approach is applied in designing enzyme-modified particles for H2-driven recycling of the nicotinamide cofactor NADH to provide a clean cofactor source for applications of NADH-dependent enzymes in chemical synthesis, presenting a combination of published and new work on these systems. We also consider related photobiocatalytic approaches for light-driven production of chemicals or H2 as a fuel. We emphasise the techniques available for understanding detailed catalytic properties of the enzymes responsible for individual redox half-reactions, and the importance of a fundamental understanding of the enzyme characteristics in enabling effective applications of redox biocatalysis.

Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV, a thermoacidophilic 'Knallgas' methanotroph with both an oxygen-sensitive and -insensitive hydrogenase

Methanotrophs play a key role in balancing the atmospheric methane concentration. Recently, the microbial methanotrophic diversity was extended by the discovery of thermoacidophilic methanotrophs belonging to the Verrucomicrobia phylum in geothermal areas. Here we show that a representative of this new group, Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV, is able to grow as a real 'Knallgas' bacterium on hydrogen/carbon dioxide, without addition of methane. The full genome of strain SolV revealed the presence of two hydrogen uptake hydrogenases genes, encoding an oxygen-sensitive (hup-type) and an oxygen-insensitive enzyme (hhy-type). The hhy-type hydrogenase was constitutively expressed and active and supported growth on hydrogen alone up to a growth rate of 0.03 h^-1, at O₂ concentrations below 1.5%. The oxygen-sensitive hup-type hydrogenase was expressed when oxygen was reduced to below 0.2%. This resulted in an increase of the growth rate to a maximum of 0.047 h^-1, that is 60% of the rate on methane. The results indicate that under natural conditions where both hydrogen and methane might be limiting strain SolV may operate primarily as a methanotrophic 'Knallgas' bacterium. These findings argue for a revision of the role of hydrogen in methanotrophic ecosystems, especially in soil and related to consumption of atmospheric methane.

Water splitting-biosynthetic system with CO₂ reduction efficiencies exceeding photosynthesis

Artificial photosynthetic systems can store solar energy and chemically reduce CO2 We developed a hybrid water splitting-biosynthetic system based on a biocompatible Earth-abundant inorganic catalyst system to split water into molecular hydrogen and oxygen (H2 and O2) at low driving voltages. When grown in contact with these catalysts, Ralstonia eutropha consumed the produced H2 to synthesize biomass and fuels or chemical products from low CO2 concentration in the presence of O2 This scalable system has a CO2 reduction energy efficiency of ~50% when producing bacterial biomass and liquid fusel alcohols, scrubbing 180 grams of CO2 per kilowatt-hour of electricity. Coupling this hybrid device to existing photovoltaic systems would yield a CO2 reduction energy efficiency of ~10%, exceeding that of natural photosynthetic systems.

Atmospheric hydrogen scavenging: from enzymes to ecosystems

We have known for 40 years that soils can consume the trace amounts of molecular hydrogen (H2) found in the Earth’s atmosphere.This process is predicted to be the most significant term in the global hydrogen cycle. However, the organisms and enzymes responsible for this process were only recently identified. Pure culture experiments demonstrated that several species of Actinobacteria, including streptomycetes and mycobacteria, can couple the oxidation of atmospheric H2 to the reduction of ambient O2. A combination of genetic, biochemical, and phenotypic studies suggest that these organisms primarily use this fuel source to sustain electron input into the respiratory chain during energy starvation. This process is mediated by a specialized enzyme, the group 5 [NiFe]-hydrogenase, which is unusual for its high affinity, oxygen insensitivity, and thermostability. Atmospheric hydrogen scavenging is a particularly dependable mode of energy generation, given both the ubiquity of the substrate and the stress tolerance of its catalyst. This minireview summarizes the recent progress in understanding how and why certain organisms scavenge atmospheric H2. In addition, it provides insight into the wider significance of hydrogen scavenging in global H2 cycling and soil microbial ecology.

Reactivation from the Ni–B state in [NiFe] hydrogenase of Ralstonia eutropha is controlled by reduction of the superoxidised proximal cluster

The tolerance towards oxic conditions of O₂-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenases has been attributed to an unusual [4Fe–3S] cluster that lies proximal to the [NiFe] active site.

Lyophilization protects [FeFe]-hydrogenases against O2-induced H-cluster degradation

Nature has developed an impressive repertoire of metal-based enzymes that perform complex chemical reactions under moderate conditions. Catalysts that produce molecular hydrogen (H2) are particularly promising for renewable energy applications. Unfortunately, natural and chemical H2-catalysts are often irreversibly degraded by molecular oxygen (O2). Here we present a straightforward procedure based on freeze-drying (lyophilization), that turns [FeFe]-hydrogenases, which are excellent H2-producers, but typically extremely O2-sensitive in solution, into enzymes that are fully resistant against O2. Complete dryness protects and conserves both, the [FeFe]-hydrogenase proteins and their inorganic active-site cofactor (H-cluster), when exposed to 100% O2 for days. The full H2-formation capacity is restored after solvation of the lyophilized enzymes. However, even minimal moisturizing re-establishes O2-sensitivity. The dry [FeFe]-hydrogenase material is superior also for advanced spectroscopic investigations on the H-cluster reaction mechanism. Our method provides a convenient way for long-term storage and impacts on potential biotechnological hydrogen production applications of hydrogenase enzymes.

Active Site of the NAD(+)-Reducing Hydrogenase from Ralstonia eutropha Studied by EPR Spectroscopy

Pulsed ENDOR and HYSCORE measurements were carried out to characterize the active site of the oxygen-tolerant NAD(+)-reducing hydrogenase of Ralstonia eutropha. The catalytically active Nia-C state exhibits a bridging hydride between iron and nickel in the active site, which is photodissociated upon illumination. Its hyperfine coupling is comparable to that of standard hydrogenases. In addition, a histidine residue could be identified, which shows hyperfine and nuclear quadrupole parameters in significant variance from comparable histidine residues that are conserved in standard [NiFe] hydrogenases, and might be related to the O2 tolerance of the enzyme.

Electrochemical and Infrared Spectroscopic Studies Provide Insight into Reactions of the NiFe Regulatory Hydrogenase from Ralstonia eutropha with O2 and CO

The regulatory hydrogenase (RH) from Ralstonia eutropha acts as the H2-sensing unit of a two-component system that regulates biosynthesis of the energy conserving hydrogenases of the organism according to the availability of H2. The H2 oxidation activity, which was so far determined in vitro with artificial electron acceptors, has been considered to be insensitive to O2 and CO. It is assumed that bulky isoleucine and phenylalanine amino acid residues close to the NiFe active site "gate" gas access, preventing molecules larger than H2 interacting with the active site. We have carried out sensitive electrochemical measurements to demonstrate that O2 is in fact an inhibitor of H2 oxidation by the RH, and that both H(+) reduction and H2 oxidation are inhibited by CO. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of O2 arises due to interaction of O2 with the active site. Using protein film infrared electrochemistry (PFIRE) under H2 oxidation conditions, in conjunction with solution infrared measurements, we have identified previously unreported oxidized inactive and catalytically active reduced states of the RH active site. These findings suggest that the RH has a rich active site chemistry similar to that of other NiFe hydrogenases.

Metagenomic Sequencing Unravels Gene Fragments with Phylogenetic Signatures of O2-Tolerant NiFe Membrane-Bound Hydrogenases in Lacustrine Sediment

Many promising hydrogen technologies utilising hydrogenase enzymes have been slowed by the fact that most hydrogenases are extremely sensitive to O₂. Within the group 1 membrane-bound NiFe hydrogenase, naturally occurring tolerant enzymes do exist, and O₂ tolerance has been largely attributed to changes in iron–sulphur clusters coordinated by different numbers of cysteine residues in the enzyme’s small subunit. Indeed, previous work has provided a robust phylogenetic signature of O₂ tolerance [1], which when combined with new sequencing technologies makes bio prospecting in nature a far more viable endeavour. However, making sense of such a vast diversity is still challenging and could be simplified if known species with O₂-tolerant enzymes were annotated with information on metabolism and natural environments. Here, we utilised a bioinformatics approach to compare O₂-tolerant and sensitive membrane-bound NiFe hydrogenases from 177 bacterial species with fully sequenced genomes for differences in their taxonomy, O₂ requirements, and natural environment. Following this, we interrogated a metagenome from lacustrine surface sediment for novel hydrogenases via high-throughput shotgun DNA sequencing using the Illumina™ MiSeq platform. We found 44 new NiFe group 1 membrane-bound hydrogenase sequence fragments, five of which segregated with the tolerant group on the phylogenetic tree of the enzyme’s small subunit, and four with the large subunit, indicating de novo O₂-tolerant protein sequences that could help engineer more efficient hydrogenases.

Genome annotation provides insight into carbon monoxide and hydrogen metabolism in Rubrivivax gelatinosus

We report here the sequencing and analysis of the genome of the purple non-sulfur photosynthetic bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus CBS. This microbe is a model for studies of its carboxydotrophic life style under anaerobic condition, based on its ability to utilize carbon monoxide (CO) as the sole carbon substrate and water as the electron acceptor, yielding CO₂ and H₂ as the end products. The CO-oxidation reaction is known to be catalyzed by two enzyme complexes, the CO dehydrogenase and hydrogenase. As expected, analysis of the genome of Rx. gelatinosus CBS reveals the presence of genes encoding both enzyme complexes. The CO-oxidation reaction is CO-inducible, which is consistent with the presence of two putative CO-sensing transcription factors in its genome. Genome analysis also reveals the presence of two additional hydrogenases, an uptake hydrogenase that liberates the electrons in H₂ in support of cell growth, and a regulatory hydrogenase that senses H₂ and relays the signal to a two-component system that ultimately controls synthesis of the uptake hydrogenase. The genome also contains two sets of hydrogenase maturation genes which are known to assemble the catalytic metallocluster of the hydrogenase NiFe active site. Collectively, the genome sequence and analysis information reveals the blueprint of an intricate network of signal transduction pathways and its underlying regulation that enables Rx. gelatinosus CBS to thrive on CO or H₂ in support of cell growth.

Maturation of Rhizobium leguminosarum hydrogenase in the presence of oxygen requires the interaction of the chaperone HypC and the scaffolding protein HupK

[NiFe] hydrogenases are key enzymes for the energy and redox metabolisms of different microorganisms. Synthesis of these metalloenzymes involves a complex series of biochemical reactions catalyzed by a plethora of accessory proteins, many of them required to synthesize and insert the unique NiFe(CN)2CO cofactor. HypC is an accessory protein conserved in all [NiFe] hydrogenase systems and involved in the synthesis and transfer of the Fe(CN)2CO cofactor precursor. Hydrogenase accessory proteins from bacteria-synthesizing hydrogenase in the presence of oxygen include HupK, a scaffolding protein with a moderate sequence similarity to the hydrogenase large subunit and proposed to participate as an intermediate chaperone in the synthesis of the NiFe cofactor. The endosymbiotic bacterium Rhizobium leguminosarum contains a single hydrogenase system that can be expressed under two different physiological conditions: free-living microaerobic cells (∼ 12 μm O2) and bacteroids from legume nodules (∼ 10-100 nm O2). We have used bioinformatic tools to model HupK structure and interaction of this protein with HypC. Site-directed mutagenesis at positions predicted as critical by the structural analysis have allowed the identification of HupK and HypC residues relevant for the maturation of hydrogenase. Mutant proteins altered in some of these residues show a different phenotype depending on the physiological condition tested. Modeling of HypC also predicts the existence of a stable HypC dimer whose presence was also demonstrated by immunoblot analysis. This study widens our understanding on the mechanisms for metalloenzyme biosynthesis in the presence of oxygen.

Enhanced oxygen-tolerance of the full heterotrimeric membrane-bound [NiFe]-hydrogenase of Ralstonia eutropha

Hydrogenases are oxygen-sensitive enzymes that catalyze the conversion between protons and hydrogen. Water-soluble subcomplexes of membrane-bound [NiFe]-hydrogenases (MBH) have been extensively studied for applications in hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells as they are relatively tolerant to oxygen, although even these catalysts are still inactivated in oxidative conditions. Here, the full heterotrimeric MBH of Ralstonia eutropha, including the membrane-integral cytochrome b subunit, was investigated electrochemically using electrodes modified with planar tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLM). Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experiments show that MBH, in equilibrium with the quinone pool in the tBLM, does not anaerobically inactivate under oxidative redox conditions. In aerobic environments, the MBH is reversibly inactivated by O2, but reactivation was found to be fast even under oxidative redox conditions. This enhanced resistance to inactivation is ascribed to the oligomeric state of MBH in the lipid membrane.

Rubredoxin-related maturation factor guarantees metal cofactor integrity during aerobic biosynthesis of membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenase

The membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenase (MBH) supports growth of Ralstonia eutropha H16 with H2 as the sole energy source. The enzyme undergoes a complex biosynthesis process that proceeds during cell growth even at ambient O2 levels and involves 14 specific maturation proteins. One of these is a rubredoxin-like protein, which is essential for biosynthesis of active MBH at high oxygen concentrations but dispensable under microaerobic growth conditions. To obtain insights into the function of HoxR, we investigated the MBH protein purified from the cytoplasmic membrane of hoxR mutant cells. Compared with wild-type MBH, the mutant enzyme displayed severely decreased hydrogenase activity. Electron paramagnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopic analyses revealed features resembling those of O2-sensitive [NiFe] hydrogenases and/or oxidatively damaged protein. The catalytic center resided partially in an inactive Niu-A-like state, and the electron transfer chain consisting of three different Fe-S clusters showed marked alterations compared with wild-type enzyme. Purification of HoxR protein from its original host, R. eutropha, revealed only low protein amounts. Therefore, recombinant HoxR protein was isolated from Escherichia coli. Unlike common rubredoxins, the HoxR protein was colorless, rather unstable, and essentially metal-free. Conversion of the atypical iron-binding motif into a canonical one through genetic engineering led to a stable reddish rubredoxin. Remarkably, the modified HoxR protein did not support MBH-dependent growth at high O2. Analysis of MBH-associated protein complexes points toward a specific interaction of HoxR with the Fe-S cluster-bearing small subunit. This supports the previously made notion that HoxR avoids oxidative damage of the metal centers of the MBH, in particular the unprecedented Cys6[4Fe-3S] cluster.

Microbial hydrogen splitting in the presence of oxygen

The origin of the tolerance of a subclass of [NiFe]-hydrogenases to the presence of oxygen was unclear for a long time. Recent spectroscopic studies showed a conserved active site between oxygen-sensitive and oxygen-tolerant hydrogenases, and modifications in the vicinity of the active site in the large subunit could be excluded as the origin of catalytic activity even in the presence of molecular oxygen. A combination of bioinformatics and protein structural modelling revealed an unusual co-ordination motif in the vicinity of the proximal Fe-S cluster in the small subunit. Mutational experiments confirmed the relevance of two additional cysteine residues for the oxygen-tolerance. This new binding motif can be used to classify sequences from [NiFe]-hydrogenases according to their potential oxygen-tolerance. The X-ray structural analysis of the reduced form of the enzyme displayed a new type of [4Fe-3S] cluster co-ordinated by six surrounding cysteine residues in a distorted cubanoid geometry. The unusual electronic structure of the proximal Fe-S cluster can be analysed using the broken-symmetry approach and gave results in agreement with experimental Mößbauer studies. An electronic effect of the proximal Fe-S cluster on the remote active site can be detected and quantified. In the oxygen-tolerant hydrogenases, the hydride occupies an asymmetric binding position in the Ni-C state. This may rationalize the more facile activation and catalytic turnover in this subclass of enzymes.

Surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) to probe monolayers of membrane proteins

Surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) represents a variation of conventional infrared spectroscopy and exploits the signal enhancement exerted by the plasmon resonance of nano-structured metal thin films. The surface enhancement decays in about 10nm with the distance from the surface and is, thus, perfectly suited to selectively probe monolayers of biomembranes. Peculiar to membrane proteins is their vectorial functionality, the probing of which requires proper orientation within the membrane. To this end, the metal surface used in SEIRAS is chemically modified to generate an oriented membrane protein film. Monolayers of uniformly oriented membrane proteins are formed by tethering His-tagged proteins to a nickel nitrilo-triacetic acid (Ni-NTA) modified gold surface and SEIRAS commands molecular sensitivity to probe each step of surface modification. The solid surface used as plasmonic substrate for SEIRAS, can also be employed as an electrode to investigate systems where electron transfer reactions are relevant, like e.g. cytochrome c oxidase or plant-type photosystems. Furthermore, the interaction of these membrane proteins with water-soluble proteins, like cytochrome c or hydrogenase, is studied on the molecular level by SEIRAS. The impact of the membrane potential on protein functionality is verified by monitoring light-dark difference spectra of a monolayer of sensory rhodopsin (SRII) at different applied potentials. It is demonstrated that the interpretations of all of these experiments critically depend on the orientation of the solid-supported membrane protein. Finally, future directions of SEIRAS including cellular systems are discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: FTIR in membrane proteins and peptide studies.

Novel, oxygen-insensitive group 5 [NiFe]-hydrogenase in Ralstonia eutropha

Recently, a novel group of [NiFe]-hydrogenases has been defined that appear to have a great impact in the global hydrogen cycle. This so-called group 5 [NiFe]-hydrogenase is widespread in soil-living actinobacteria and can oxidize molecular hydrogen at atmospheric levels, which suggests a high affinity of the enzyme toward H2. Here, we provide a biochemical characterization of a group 5 hydrogenase from the betaproteobacterium Ralstonia eutropha H16. The hydrogenase was designated an actinobacterial hydrogenase (AH) and is catalytically active, as shown by the in vivo H2 uptake and by activity staining in native gels. However, the enzyme does not sustain autotrophic growth on H2. The AH was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography and consists of two subunits with molecular masses of 65 and 37 kDa. Among the electron acceptors tested, nitroblue tetrazolium chloride was reduced by the AH at highest rates. At 30°C and pH 8, the specific activity of the enzyme was 0.3 μmol of H2 per min and mg of protein. However, an unexpectedly high Michaelis constant (Km) for H2 of 3.6 ± 0.5 μM was determined, which is in contrast to the previously proposed low Km of group 5 hydrogenases and makes atmospheric H2 uptake by R. eutropha most unlikely. Amperometric activity measurements revealed that the AH maintains full H2 oxidation activity even at atmospheric oxygen concentrations, showing that the enzyme is insensitive toward O2.

[NiFe] hydrogenases: a common active site for hydrogen metabolism under diverse conditions

Hydrogenase proteins catalyze the reversible conversion of molecular hydrogen to protons and electrons. The most abundant hydrogenases contain a [NiFe] active site; these proteins are generally biased towards hydrogen oxidation activity and are reversibly inhibited by oxygen. However, there are [NiFe] hydrogenase that exhibit unique properties, including aerobic hydrogen oxidation and preferential hydrogen production activity; these proteins are highly relevant in the context of biotechnological devices. This review describes four classes of these "nonstandard" [NiFe] hydrogenases and discusses the electrochemical, spectroscopic, and structural studies that have been used to understand the mechanisms behind this exceptional behavior. A revised classification protocol is suggested in the conclusions, particularly with respect to the term "oxygen-tolerance". This article is part of a special issue entitled: metals in bioenergetics and biomimetics systems.

Hydrogen-driven asymmetric reduction of hydroxyacetone to (R)-1,2-propanediol by Ralstonia eutropha transformant expressing alcohol dehydrogenase from Kluyveromyces lactis

BACKGROUND

Conversion of industrial processes to more nature-friendly modes is a crucial subject for achieving sustainable development. Utilization of hydrogen-oxidation reactions by hydrogenase as a driving force of bioprocess reaction can be an environmentally ideal method because the reaction creates no pollutants. We expressed NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase from Kluyveromyces lactis in a hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium: Ralstonia eutropha. This is the first report of hydrogen-driven in vivo coupling reaction of the alcohol dehydrogenase and indigenous soluble NAD-reducing hydrogenase. Asymmetric reduction of hydroxyacetone to (R)-1,2-propanediol, which is a commercial building block for antibacterial agents, was performed using the transformant as the microbial cell catalyst.

RESULTS

The two enzymes coupled in vitro in vials without a marked decrease of reactivity during the 20 hr reaction because of the hydrogenase reaction, which generates no by-product that affects enzymes. Alcohol dehydrogenase was expressed functionally in R. eutropha in an activity level equivalent to that of indigenous NAD-reducing hydrogenase under the hydrogenase promoter. The hydrogen-driven in vivo coupling reaction proceeded only by the transformant cell without exogenous addition of a cofactor. The decrease of reaction velocity at higher concentration of hydroxyacetone was markedly reduced by application of an in vivo coupling system. Production of (R)-1,2-propanediol (99.8% e.e.) reached 67.7 g/l in 76 hr with almost a constant rate using a jar fermenter. The reaction velocity under 10% PH2 was almost equivalent to that under 100% hydrogen, indicating the availability of crude hydrogen gas from various sources. The in vivo coupling system enabled cell-recycling as catalysts.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymmetric reduction of hydroxyacetone by a coupling reaction of the two enzymes continued in both in vitro and in vivo systems in the presence of hydrogen. The in vivo reaction system using R. eutropha transformant expressing heterologous alcohol dehydrogenase showed advantages for practical usage relative to the in vitro coupling system. The results suggest a hopeful perspective of the hydrogen-driven bioprocess as an environmentally outstanding method to achieve industrial green innovation. Hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria can be useful hosts for the development of hydrogen-driven microbial cell factories.

Relation between anaerobic inactivation and oxygen tolerance in a large series of NiFe hydrogenase mutants

Nickel-containing hydrogenases, the biological catalysts of oxidation and production, reversibly inactivate under anaerobic, oxidizing conditions. We aim at understanding the mechanism of (in)activation and what determines its kinetics, because there is a correlation between fast reductive reactivation and oxygen tolerance, a property of some hydrogenases that is very desirable from the point of view of biotechnology. Direct electrochemistry is potentially very useful for learning about the redox-dependent conversions between active and inactive forms of hydrogenase, but the voltammetric signals are complex and often misread. Here we describe simple analytical models that we used to characterize and compare 16 mutants, obtained by substituting the position-74 valine of the -sensitive NiFe hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio fructosovorans. We observed that this substitution can accelerate reactivation up to 1,000-fold, depending on the polarity of the position 74 amino acid side chain. In terms of kinetics of anaerobic (in)activation and oxygen tolerance, the valine-to-histidine mutation has the most spectacular effect: The V74H mutant compares favorably with the -tolerant hydrogenase from Aquifex aeolicus, which we use here as a benchmark.

Direct evidence of active-site reduction and photodriven catalysis in sensitized hydrogenase assemblies

We report photocatalytic H(2) production by hydrogenase (H(2)ase)-quantum dot (QD) hybrid assemblies. Quenching of the CdTe exciton emission was observed, consistent with electron transfer from the quantum dot to H(2)ase. GC analysis showed light-driven H(2) production in the presence of a sacrificial electron donor with an efficiency of 4%, which is likely a lower limit for these hybrid systems. FTIR spectroscopy was employed for direct observation of active-site reduction in unprecedented detail for photodriven H(2)ase catalysis with sensitivity toward both H(2)ase and the sacrificial electron donor. Photosensitization with Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) showed distinct FTIR photoreduction properties, generating all of the states along the steady-state catalytic cycle with minimal H(2) production, indicating slow, sequential one-electron reduction steps. Comparing the H(2)ase activity and FTIR results for the two systems showed that QDs bind more efficiently for electron transfer and that the final enzyme state is different for the two sensitizers. The possible origins of these differences and their implications for the enzymatic mechanism are discussed.